إِلَّا مَنْ خَطِفَ ٱلْخَطْفَةَ فَأَتْبَعَهُۥ شِهَابٌ ثَاقِبٌ 10
Translations
Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].
Transliteration
Illa man khatifa al-khataifa fa-atba'ahu shihab thaqib
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the angels guarding the realm of the heavens, stating that whoever attempts to steal knowledge of the unseen (by eavesdropping on the divine realm) is pursued by a piercing meteor/flame. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as referring to the jinn who attempted to ascend to heaven to eavesdrop on divine conversations before the mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and how they were repelled by shooting stars. This establishes the boundaries of creation and the exclusivity of divine knowledge to Allah alone.
Revelation Context
This ayah is part of Surah As-Saffat (Chapter 37), a Meccan surah that discusses the arrangement of angels and the guards of heaven. The context revolves around the cosmic order and Allah's sovereignty over the heavens. The specific reference to meteors striking those who attempt to breach the heavenly realm connects to the broader Quranic theme of protecting the divine realm from intrusion by jinn seeking hidden knowledge.
Related Hadiths
The concept is related to Hadith Qudsi and Quranic references to jinn being prevented from eavesdropping. Surah Al-Jinn (72:8-9) directly addresses this: 'And we have sought to reach the heaven, but found it filled with stern guards and blazing flames.' Ibn Abbas and other companions explained this in relation to the guards stationed in the heavens.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches believers that the knowledge of the unseen belongs exclusively to Allah, and any attempt to transgress the boundaries set by the Creator results in divine punishment. For modern readers, it emphasizes humility in accepting the limits of human knowledge and submission to divine will, reminding us that seeking forbidden knowledge or overstepping divine boundaries has consequences.